Barnes is back

The Wild Things have re-signed another part of last season's starting rotation as Casey Barnes (pictured) will be returning to Washington.

Barnes was the Frontier League's Rookie of the Year last year when he was 5-5 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts before having his contract purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies. The 2.34 ERA was third-best in the league.

Barnes was signed by Washington during spring training last year, after he was released by Traverse City. Barnes was a big reason why the Wild Things had the best ERA in the league and set the FL record for most quality starts.

Barnes was released last month by the Phillies.

Washington has re-signed four of its five primary starting pitchers from last year. Also back are Justin Hall (10-7, 3.22), Gary Lee (4-6, 4.18) and Jhonny Montoya (4-7, 3.77). That's a good starting point for new pitching coach Tim Ferguson.

In the last few days, the Wild Things have signed two other players who were released during minor league spring training. They also released one pitcher.

Signed were 6-5 left-handed pitcher Kevin Johnson and 21-year-old second baseman Nick Lockwood. Johnson spent two years in the Texas Rangers' system after playing at the University of Cincinnati. Lockwood was the Minnesota Twins' ninth-round draft pick in 2009. Johnson reached full-season Class A ball last year while Lockwood spent three years in rookie ball. Though he has played three pro seasons, Lockwood is a rookie by Frontier League standards because of his age.

Washington also acquired catcher Chris Anderson from New Jersey of the Can-Am League in exchange for a player to be named. Anderson, who has not yet been signed by the Wild Things, played at San Diego State and spent four years as an organizational filler catcher for the Atlanta Braves.

The Wild Things also released left-handed pitcher Dan Schmidt, who was signed in February and would have been the first Australian to play for Washington.